Why Are Sections In Some People’s Dreadlocks More Visible Than Others

Maybe you have seen someone’s head and wondered “why are sections

in some people’s dreadlocks more visible than others?”  The interesting thing about getting dread/locs, is that you will eventually have to accept what was genetically given to you. Or spend the rest of the time making sure it looks the way you wish it could be!

So many times in my dread/loc-making career, I have had to diplomatically let people know that their

hair will do only “this look”.  Thankfully, many already know how their hair will look. It is the ones that want the hair to look extremely full and long that present the most problems.  Adding extensions can solve the issue, but the weight on the scalp should be monitored.

New clients will bring pictures of the look they want.  They will say:  I want

my dreads/locs to look this way or that.  Most will also say “I don’t want the spaces between them to be visible”.  Why are sections in some people’ dreadlocks more visible than others?

The partings are too small

Tiny partings work for people with micro braids and sisterlocks because they like styling to make straight rows.  While this is fine in the early years, as the person ages, I have found that the space around the locs becomes thinner because of the maintenance method used.  Also, for some reason, myths have many people thinking they must have a certain amount of sisterlocks.  You should have the amount that is best for your hair to grow well as it gets longer, based on your texture. Period.  

Gray hair changes how partings look

Gray hair is the problem child of hair textures. It gets thinner; develops a wave or just refuses to stay in order.  Color lasts maybe for a week if you are lucky.  As the gray comes in, the roots have a white halo effect making it appear lighter and spaced apart. 

Aging stretches the scalp

If you had a whorl or unusual parting in the top of the head, it opens up more as one ages making the parting(s) more visible.

Partings done in rows:

A bricklayer pattern is the best way to avoid having too many spaces in dread/locs.  This method has been used in braiding forever for exactly this reason.  Many times clients have insisted they want the dread/locs to go in a line, until a few years go by and the scalp starts spreading.  

Why are sections in some people’s dreadlocks more visible than others? I feel that making  partings too small; graying hair and aging play a role but  not using a bricklayer pattern in making sections is the most common reason.  

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books:  “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks, A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.